Echoes From the Campfire

[Don Adkisson]

      “We often value the wrong things. We can spend our lives working to surround ourselves with things that don't matter. We can sacrifice the things that do matter, to gain those things that don't.”
                    --Dan Arnold  (Bear Creek)

       "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

                    --1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)
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                    “Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will.”
                               --Jonathan Edwards

RESOLUTION!  Stop the nonsense about making resolutions.  It is serious business!  Either we make them or we don't, but it is nothing to be taken lightly.  Someone said that a resolution is a "to do" list for the first week in January.  Nonsense!  A to do list is something that needs to be accomplished and then when it is it is crossed off.   It is not for one day or for a week, but in reality it is for a lifetime.  I have heard it said that a resolution is made to be broken.  Nonsense!  That is like saying I haven't broken the law if I don't get caught.  Some people say that they don't make resolutions because they know they can't keep them.  Okay, at least they do not make them in the first place, but that seems to be a lame excuse.
       RESOLUTION: (from the Oxford Dictionary)
               1)  a firm decision to do or not to do something.  
               2)  the quality of being determined.
We see here that a resolution involves determination, purpose, intention, decision, and resolve.  It is not tip-toeing through the tulips; it is a definite march in whatever endeavor or decision that has been made.  It is not a flippant phrase, but a determined effort to get something accomplished.
       Most resolutions that are made are first of all hastily made.  They are not thought through.

                "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?"
                         --Luke 14:27-31 (NKJV)

Second, most resolutions deal with exercise, diet, losing weight, stopping some habit or forming one.  These are not wrong, in fact, they can be very good.  However, these are things that are not quite as weighty as what Luke was speaking of.  Yet, at the same time, they take resolve, they take discipline and determination to accomplish.  As I said earlier, resolutions are not flippantly made.  They take consideration.
       David was resolved when he stood in front of Goliath.  He did not waver, he did not back down.  He was determined and had faith in God to see through the battle.  One of the greatest resolution statements in the Bible are the words of Joshua, "...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15, NKJV)  Nothing was going to deter him from making sure he and his family were serving God.  Paul resolved that "in whatever state I am, to be content" (Philippians 4:11, NKJV).   These are but a small example of those who made firm resolutions before the Lord.  In fact, go back to Luke 14.  The verse just before the ones above speaks of definite resolution to follow Christ.  "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27, NKJV)
       Should we not be resolute in fixing our eyes upon Jesus in the coming year?  Should we not determine that our steps are to be guided by the Holy Spirit?  Should we not discipline ourselves so that we are not castaway?  Should we not seek to be more like Him?  Should we not take more earnest heed to our walk, and should we not be looking for His soon return?  Should we not be redeeming the time because the days are evil?  I would ask you again, before making a flippant resolution, or joke about making a resolution to think again.  Think of our Lord, hasn't He made resolutions regarding us?  Isn't He faithful to His word?  He resolves to fulfill His promises.  He is committed to His children.  Thank the Lord that He is resolved to "give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:29-30, NKJV).

               "I am determined, I've made up my mind,
               I'll serve the Lord.
               I've left the pleasures of this world behind,
               I'll serve the Lord...."
                      --unknown

D.C. Adkisson